St. Theresa Catholic Church

Ceremony

Astoria Banquets & Events

Reception

Our Wedding

We first met in August of 2017 at Ball State University. Throughout college, we talked off and on, crossing paths here and there but never quite at the same time. Then, in the fall of 2019, our conversations became more consistent and it just clicked.

That spring (of 2020), Mikaela left to student teach in Texas, unsure if she’d want to stay there after graduation. Even with the distance, we kept talking. During her spring break in March, she came back to Indiana and stopped by a St. Patrick’s Day party at Tom’s house in Muncie. Little did we know that week would change everything. COVID shut down her student teaching shortly after, and from that point on, we were talking constantly and seeing each other whenever we could.

We officially started dating on April 20, 2020 — right in the middle of lockdowns, takeout dates, and long drives just to see each other. That fall, Mikaela began teaching and living in Indianapolis, while Tom stayed in Illinois. For a full year, we made the three-hour drive to visit each other nearly every other weekend.

In the fall of 2021, Mikaela moved to Illinois, and since then, we’ve built a life full of adventures, visits with family and friends, and plenty of weekend getaways. Our first trip together was to Galena in January 2025 — and soon after, we booked our next big trip: Japan!

Mikaela didn’t expect a proposal on that trip (especially since she planned almost the entire thing — except for one dinner Tom insisted on). She even unknowingly signed for the ring’s delivery! Tom commenting on her nails looking “a little messy,” which was something he had never said before, should’ve been a clue.

Before dinner one evening, we went for a walk at Arisugama-no-Miya Memorial Park. Tom asked Mikaela to walk ahead of him, pointed out fishing jumping to distract her, and then got down on one knee. Her first words were, “No… no, you’re not!” which was followed quickly by a very happy “Yes!”

We got engaged on July 17, 2025, in Japan — a perfect, unforgettable moment to begin our next chapter together!

Our Story

Photos

Laura Strahm

Danny Flint

Gretchen Strahm

Tyler Photikarmbumrung

Kenzie Worsham

Paul Byrd

Laurie Geier

Jameson Franks

Emily LaVigne

Jaxon Dennis

Wedding Party

Please use the booking link below or mention our wedding when reserving by phone to receive the discounted room rate.

Comfort Inn and Suites

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Dress Code

Ceremony: 2pm 

St. Theresa Catholic Church465 N Benton StPalatine, IL 60067

Reception: 5pm-11pm

Astoria Banquets &amp; Events1375 West Dundee RdBuffalo Grove, IL 60089 Shuttles from Comfort Inn to Astoria: 4:45pm, 5:00pm, 5:15pmShuttles from Astoria back to Comfort Inn: 10:15pm, 10:45pm, 11:15pm

Mikaela & Thomas

Mikaela & Thomas

Travel

Comfort Inn and Suites